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COOPERATIVE SOCIAL EMERGENCY TRANSPORT POBIC

Code of Ethics

01

Introduction

This Code of Ethics has been drafted and approved by the Board of Directors of the Pobic Onlus Association (hereinafter POBIC), and any total or partial review or modification must be submitted for approval by the same Board of Directors.

The Code of Ethics, with reference to the assumed Values, highlights the set of rights, duties, and responsibilities of all operators, collaborators, volunteers, and consultants of POBIC. It has been adopted by POBIC to clearly establish the responsibilities of each individual who operates on its behalf or comes into contact with the organization, thereby ensuring the proper fulfillment of its mission and complete adherence to the values that inspire the Organization's work in every field of action.

Furthermore, the Code of Ethics aims to make the organization, management, and control model explicit, transparent, and effective in order to prevent risks of liability and offenses to which the organization may be exposed in carrying out activities related to its mission. POBIC adheres to and respects the principles contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), the Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (1993), and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979), and all forms of discrimination among human beings.

POBIC pursues its mission in full compliance with community, national, and international regulations, as well as with the Charters and Codes to which it adheres. In particular: the FOCSIV Ethical Charter, the IID - Italian Institute of Donation Donation Charter, and the Code of Self-Discipline for Communication.

02

Recipients

The recipients of the Code of Ethics are statutory bodies, directors, employees, collaborators, volunteers, and all those who temporarily work with POBIC, both in Italy and abroad. Compliance with the rules and provisions contained in the Code of Ethics forms an integral part of the contractual obligations arising from employment relationships, for employees, and from contractual regulations, for collaborators, and may lead to the application of the foreseen sanctions.

The recipients, by reason of the responsibilities assigned, shall provide adequate information to third parties (suppliers, consultants, donors, etc.) regarding the obligations imposed by this Code and shall request compliance with the obligations directly concerning their activities.

03

Identity

POBIC, founded in 1992, is a volunteer and national and international cooperation organization inspired by the principles of Charity, Solidarity, and Fraternity to promote world peace, cooperation between peoples, and the integral development of the human person.

In the development of its activities, both nationally and internationally, Pobic is inspired by the protection and promotion of human rights, which are inalienable and essential prerogatives of human beings and the foundation for building societies based on the principles of equality, solidarity, charity, and fraternity; the rejection of war; and the protection of civil and political rights, social, economic, and cultural rights, and so-called third-generation rights: the right to self-determination, peace, development, and environmental protection.

POBIC rejects all forms of discrimination, exploitation, forced labor, and child labor.

POBIC is an autonomous association managed by the Assembly of Members, which establishes the lines of action, and by the Board of Directors, which guarantees their implementation in the Association's operations. It has its registered office in Brescia and an operational office in Bozzolo (province of Mantua), along with other peripheral offices throughout the national territory. POBIC's Mission: wishes to contribute, through the commitment, motivation, determination, and professionalism of its people, to the process of combating poverty and fostering the growth of the communities with which it cooperates worldwide, in order to achieve a better balance between the North and South of the planet, between developed and depressed or developing areas.

The association, recognizing effective, efficient, cutting-edge, and free healthcare as a priority, especially for children, strives to ensure that this protection is guaranteed and free in every country worldwide. It carries out concrete actions (projects and initiatives) in the care and training of healthcare personnel in various sectors, particularly in cardiac pathologies, wound treatment, prevention of cervical cancer, childbirth assistance, and in supporting the values of welcome, solidarity, charity, fraternity, and peace, as well as the affirmation of human rights and capacities in all their forms and expressions.

The association’s activities abroad are carried out primarily through: the implementation of development cooperation initiatives in the social and health sectors to benefit the populations of developing countries, both through direct actions and indirect actions—that is, by providing financial support to other local associations or nonprofit organizations; sending volunteers and staff to foreign countries; engaging individuals, organizations, and institutions—both public and private—that can contribute to improving the living conditions of the world’s poor; providing free on-site treatment for various medical conditions, particularly cardiac conditions affecting children, through the establishment and management of dedicated hospitals and/or clinics, as well as the training of doctors and healthcare workers in partner countries; the transfer of children to Italy to receive medical care, surgical procedures, and particularly cardiac surgery when it is not possible to treat them locally; the use of ozone therapy in the treatment of wounds, as well as in any other field where this therapy can be applied; the treatment and prevention of cervical cancer, training in childbirth assistance, and medical transportation.

The association’s work in Italy is carried out primarily through projects aimed at preventing cardiovascular diseases, by raising awareness, promoting prevention, and countering behaviors that contribute to the onset of such diseases. How We Operate: POBIC’s work is guided by the principle of subsidiarity, meaning that if local treatments are available that meet a person’s needs, these are prioritized. However, if such methods are not effective according to scientific standards, a medical solution is proposed, tailored to the specific needs of the child or woman.

In pursuing this principle, POBIC undertakes health cooperation and prevention projects with the aim of creating the fundamental conditions to facilitate health action. POBIC's activity aims to pursue the principle of efficiency and effectiveness, through collaboration with local partners for the design and implementation of projects abroad with the objective of improving the effectiveness of its intervention and with a commitment to using economic and financial resources in an increasingly appropriate and fair manner.

04

Ethical Values

We are committed, in every area of our action, to act according to the following principles of: Honesty: everyone must commit to, in carrying out their duties, not pursuing personal or organizational gain at the expense of current laws and the rules set forth in the Code of Ethics, or to take actions that, according to common sense, go against upright conduct.

Legality: Each person, within their activities and competencies, is required to know and observe the codified regulations (laws, equivalent acts, regulations) issued by the States in which they operate, by International Institutions, and in particular, the norms relating to the protection of personal data, health, and safety.

Charity, Solidarity, and Brotherhood: Everyone, within the scope of their own activities and areas of expertise, must conduct themselves in a manner inspired by charity, solidarity, and brotherhood, always striving to uphold a common sense of substantive justice.

Equality and non-discrimination: each person, within the scope of their activities and competencies, must ensure uniformity of treatment, disregarding differences in age, gender, race, physical disability, or religion. Protection and enhancement of the individual: each person must ensure, in the performance of their work, respect for the individual and the enhancement of individual capabilities.

Diligence: Everyone is called to perform their duties with attention and accuracy, respecting the places and the goods/equipment entrusted to them for the exercise of their activity.

Transparency: everyone, within the scope of their activities, is called upon to perform their duties according to a criterion that promotes understanding of the activities by all; every action must therefore be easily traceable in all its steps.

Impartiality: Everyone must act with objectivity and fairness, without favoritism or personal interests, and avoid any conflict of interest. Confidentiality: Everyone must conduct their activities in accordance with the principle of confidentiality, refraining from boasting about or disclosing to third parties (by any means, including their own social media accounts) without authorization the actions taken, and must also refrain from disclosing sensitive or non-sensitive data learned in the course of their duties, strictly complying with applicable regulations regarding the processing of personal data.

05

Rules of Conduct

In its relationships with donors, partners, suppliers, employees/collaborators, beneficiaries, media, supervisory bodies, and the judiciary, POBIC maintains the following standards of behavior, based on the ethical principles set forth above:

5.1 Donor Relations Pobic:
Ensure that donors receive complete and transparent information about the Association, the initiatives to be supported, the purposes of fundraising, and the results achieved; do not exert undue pressure to induce donations; comply with current regulations regarding the truthfulness of statements made; disclose the amount of donations received and their subsequent use; commit to ensuring donor confidentiality; refuse donations from companies that violate human rights, workers' rights, and the environment, that produce or trade armaments, pornographic materials, and anything else harmful to people and the environment; ensure that disbursements, contributions, and financing are used exclusively for the purposes for which they were allocated; guarantee careful administration of the funds used.

5.2 Relations with POBIC Partners:
In selecting partners for shared activities, adopt the following criteria: exclude any profit motive; demand adherence to our ethical principles; comply with local laws (labor codes, tax codes, etc.).

5.3 Relations with POBIC Suppliers:
It favors technical and economic operators from the countries of intervention to promote local development where the necessary good quality of goods, works, and services provided is guaranteed. In selecting suppliers and within the scope of tender procedures for the purchase of goods, works, and services, objective assessments are made according to criteria of competitiveness, quality, economy, and ethics. Suppliers are required to comply with current regulations and this Code of Ethics.

5.4 Relationships with Employees, Collaborators, Volunteers, and Governing Bodies
POBIC is committed to: upholding the principles set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, as well as eliminating all forms of discrimination among human beings; comply with international minimum standards for working conditions and fundamental workers’ rights; offer all employees equal opportunities for professional growth, based on merit and without any discrimination; pursue the continuous improvement of each individual’s skills, promoting training programs and utilizing innovative and increasingly effective operational methods and strategies; ensure the recognition and promotion of each individual’s skills and contribution to the achievement of common goals; ensure a work environment that is appropriate and functional for the tasks to be performed; ensure the dissemination of the Code of Ethics and procedures; ensure the protection of privacy; ensure compliance with regulations regarding occupational health and safety; ensure adequate information regarding living conditions and safety in the countries where the employee will be assigned, as well as the preventive health measures they must follow.

5.5 Operator Duties:
Without prejudice to regulatory provisions, in particular each operator in Italy and in the countries where we operate must: respect the fundamental rights of the person, with particular reference to the rights of children and women and the elimination of all forms of discrimination; observe decorous behavior and dress, respectful of the environment and workplace, colleagues, partners, suppliers, direct beneficiaries, and local customs, cultures, and religions, and which always reflect the dignity of one's own and others' roles; ensure the correct use of the Association's resources; comply with the rules of conduct established regarding safety, privacy, confidentiality in actions, and information obtained as a result of activities. Each operator is prohibited from: involvement in espionage, military, or subversive operations against national institutions or similar activities; any conduct, even if negligent, that causes direct or reputational damage to the Association; employing workers in violation of regulations on child labor exploitation; consuming alcohol and illicit substances while carrying out assigned activities and performing assigned duties; any conduct that may be considered physical and/or moral violence, abuse of authority, fraud, and deception.

5.6 Relationships with recipients of activities and initiatives:
Beneficiaries must be adequately informed about the activities and resources employed in the projects that involve them and must share POBIC's mission. Beneficiaries are entitled to the effective, efficient, and equitable use of the resources made available to them. POBIC guarantees the confidentiality of the actions taken towards beneficiaries, except for reasons of disclosure reserved for the association's top leadership upon receiving the consent of the interested party, and full respect for beneficiaries' personal data. In identifying beneficiaries, POBIC respects all principles contained in this Code of Ethics.

5.7 Communication and Media Relations:
POBIC communications, reserved for the association's top management or delegated by them, are based on criteria of: Honesty, Truth and Fairness, Responsibility, Verifiability of content and sources, Non-aggressiveness, both in text and images, and Respect for the rights and dignity of individuals.

5.8 Supervisory Bodies:
Relations with entities performing control and auditing activities must be guided by the principles of: Truthfulness and Correctness, Timeliness, Transparency, Information Sharing. Maximum cooperation is guaranteed to the control bodies, avoiding any obstructive behavior.

5.9 Judicial Authority:
POBIC ensures, where legitimately requested, that it will cooperate fully with judicial authorities both in Italy and in the countries where it operates. To this end, it undertakes to avoid exerting any influence whatsoever on a person called upon to testify before a judicial authority, with the intent of inducing that person not to testify or to make false statements. POBIC also undertakes not to assist or support anyone caught in the act of committing a criminal offense. It cooperates with criminal investigations conducted by the competent authority and takes any consequent action against the defendant only after a final and binding judgment has been rendered.

06

Measures in case of violation of the Code of Ethics

Any violation of the provisions of this Code must be reported to the Supervisory Body designated by the Board of Directors. All relevant parties are required to report, either verbally or in writing, any instances of non-compliance or violations of this Code of Ethics. Any such reports must be addressed to the Supervisory Body.

The authors of reports are protected against any retaliation for reporting misconduct, just as the accused will have all the necessary defense guarantees to refute the reports. This Code of Ethics must be communicated to all subjects who interact with POBIC and by them read, shared, and signed for acknowledgment and adherence.